Preface
For many years, Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride (CPVC) Pipes have been used extensively in plumbing and fire sprinkler applications. However, CPVC pipes can be sensitive to certain chemicals or materials, and this can be exacerbated by factors such as the environments in which they are stored/used or temperature.
STI formulates its products to be safe for contact with most plastics, including CPVC. STI products are used extensively and successfully with various plastic pipes, tubes, and conduits, including CPVC. Variations in the polymer chemistry used for plastic pipes and fittings make it difficult for STI to guarantee compatibility. Therefore, we always recommend that contractors consult with the plastic pipe or fitting manufacturer regarding any known sensitivities or potential restrictions before product application.and facility owners.
Compatibility Programs for CPVC & Firestop Products
Leading CPVC suppliers have developed various proprietary methodologies to evaluate CPVC compatibility with ancillary products, including firestopping products. Two notable companies, Lubrizol and Spears, are progressive in evaluating CPVC compatibility.
Lubrizol administers the FBC™ System Compatible Program, whereby they list products that are either compatible or incompatible with their FlowGuard®, BlazeMaster®, Corzan®, and TempRite® products. Registered products that comply are labeled with the FBC™ System Compatible Mark directly on the packaging and in the associated literature. The lists of products can be found here: https://www.lubrizol.com/CPVC/FBC-System-Compatible-Program
Spears Manufacturing evaluates products commonly used with CPVC. They do not have a formal program or specific marking. However, they do publish limited information on their website and additionally evaluate products on a case-by-case basis for compatibility with Spears branded products. No mark for Spears Mfg. exists on product labeling or associated literature.
Conclusion
While formal evaluation schemes are available from Lubrizol and Spears Mfg., these are not directly applicable to all CPVC pipes and fittings manufactured by companies other than Lubrizol or Spears Mfg. STI highly recommends consulting the individual CPVC manufacturer for confirmation because every CPVC piping brand is made with unique compounds, performance additives, or resins with varying molecular weights or chlorine content, which may directly impact compatibility. The CPVC manufacturer ultimately determines compatibility with ancillary products, including firestop products, and since their programs and criteria for measuring compatibility may change at any time, this information is provided as a reference only.
Download this Spec Tech Bulletin: Firestop Products and CPVC Pipe
Additional Resources
The International Firestop Council (IFC) publishes recommendations on firestop products and CPVC. The document can be found here: https://firestop.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/CPVC_Compatibility_with_firestops.pdfhttps://firestop.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/CPVC_Compatibility_with_firestops.pdf
Spec Tech Bulletin (9/12/2024)
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